6.04.2007

What an opportune time to look at the goaltending possibilities for Vancouver in the upcoming free agency period.

What's that you say? "We have Luongo so why even bother?" Well, because first it would be a poor investment strategy on management's behalf to play him damn near 80 games a year yet again and, moreover, he's one groin pull/concussion/puck to the throat/errant Nagy crease crashing disaster away from sinking the hopes of the team that is built around him.

Secondly, as the Province notes this morning, Sabby is going to test the shallow end of the free agency pool. I do like the guy so more power to him if he bolts, particularly if he finds a GM who wants to pay him more then $450,000 a year because he did his job for three minutes in a playoff game. In fact, he should just head to LA now because I feel confident he can give their crew a run for their money.

So, if Sabby flies the coop, what is left out there to buddy up with Luongo and keep that bench warm?

J.S. Giguere - Not a chance in hellNiklas Backstrom - See above; although it would be fun to screw the Wild by getting himCurtis Joseph - FORE!Dominik Hasek - I really don't care what this man doesDavid Aebischer - See aboveKevin Weekes - No reunion hereMathieu Garon - Not bad backup if he wants it at a substantial discountRobert Esche - Same issue as Garon plus carries some injury woes

At the end of the day it's not going to matter much since, for the first time in this fan's tenure of a Canuck fan, the crease isn't a problem. But it's good to be thorough so...

UFA GoaliesWill break bank/move contracts for: No one. See redundancy for more detail.Hold your breath and pray: SmithGo nuts, but don't expect much: Boucher, McLennan, JS AubinPlan a project: Goehring, DubielewiczLook fondly at Manitoba: Ellis, Flaherty, Grumet-Morris, MacIntyre. Also that Schneider bloke out in beantown.Just get a warm body: Clemmensen (he knows the score), Flaherty, Dunham and Shredder because he can double as an maintenance guy (skate sharpening, quick stitch jobs, bench security, haiku's) while he sits and waits. Plus his blades will impale the pucks to reduce rebounds and any crease crashers will be murdered.

McLennan would definitely be a logical pick. Truthfully, I think Nonis will go with MacIntyre if Sabby leaves and, if MacIntyre fails, then scout the waiver wire. Although who knows...if Lui pitches for McLennan then it would be in the bag a bit.

Fine, I leave an opened ended challenge to you personally my friend. If you can score twice on me in 20 shots, I owe you a steak. So now it's personal...you and me...for the coveted title of Roberto Luongo's benchwarming bitch. Bring it!

Anytime...I sleep in my old goalie gear to ward off evil spirits. All I need to hear is 'pronger touched the cup' and I will spring to life in the butterfly stance ready to hack the bone. Or some such thing.